Mightier Japan to make Asia saferBy Brahma ChellaneyJapan has for decades based its international clout on economic competitiveness, not military might. Last month, Japan unveiled a bold new national security strategy, which includes a plan to double defense expenditure within five years. On Abe’s watch, Japan increased defense spending by about 10 percent. In 2013, the year Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) took office, Japan’s national security strategy called China a strategic partner. The UK has already surpassed the 2 percent of GDP level, yet it aims to double its defense spending by 2030.

Source: Taipei Times January 19, 2023 04:15 UTC